Much has been happening today as we begin to countdown towards adjournment on March 13. Here’s a brief summary of what’s making news in the state capitol today of interest to the UW.
Senate Democrats Challenge Initiative 960
Last Friday, Lt. Governor Brad Owen ruled that a legislative measure to apply a surcharge to the state liquor tax would require a two thirds majority of the Senate to pass the chamber. SB 6931 would have imposed a 42 cent per liter surcharge on state liquor taxes. It failed to gain the 33 votes needed for passage.
Today. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to overturn Initiative 960’s two thirds vote requirement for tax increases. Brown argues that I-960 — a state statute — cannot amend the state constitution which says the Legislature passes bills with a simple majority vote.
Highway 520 Bill Continues to Move
HB 3096, which would establish an implementation committee to evaluate tolling options for the state route 520 bridge replacement project cleared the House of Representatives 63-30 last Friday and was heared today in the Senate Transportation Committee where it is expected to pass and be referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
The measure also requires the bridge to be designed to accomodate effective connections for transit, including high capacity transit, to the light rail station at the University of Washington.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports this afternoon on their website that Governor Gregoire announced today that the bridge replacement project can be completed as early as 2014 and for $500 to $700 million less based on work completed by the state Department of Transportation.
New Twist on Stadium Taxes
The House Finance Committee today passed a new measure (HB 3380) that would use some of the revenues currently pledged for Safeco Field bonds for low income housing, once those bonds are retired in 2012. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) also includes provisions of another bill (SB 6638) sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) which would dedicate future hotel/motel tax revenues currently pledged for Qwest Field to King County arts organizations beginning in 2021.
In related developments, representatives from the city of Seattle and other organizations have been meeting with the Governor, Senate and House leaders and other senior officials to discuss funding for the potential renovation of Key Arena. As has been reported in the Seattle papers, much of the impetus for these new discussions are based on a new group of potential local buyers for the Supersonics or another NBA team which has recently been organized.
Chang Mook Sohn Announces Bid for State Treasurer
Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, the state’s longtime chief revenue forecaster, announced his candidacy today for State Treasurer. Sohn recently retired from his position as director of the state’s economic and revenue forecast council. He will challenge Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) in the Democratic primary this August.
Democratic incumbant Mike Murphy is retiring this year and backing his deputy Allan Martin who is running in the Republican primary. Sohn is being endorsed by former Governor Gary Locke and former state treasurer Dan Grimm as well as many other state leaders. This is his first bid for elective office.
Washington State Chosen One of Top Three Best State Governments
The Pew Center on the States have decided that Utah, Virginia and Washington (yes, our Washington) has one of the most effective state governments in the nation. The center ranked states based on how well the manage budgets, staff, infrastructure and information. Washington was lauded for Governor Gregoire’s “GMAP” efforts that bring agency leaders together with the Governor’s senior management team in a public setting to monitor how state programs are working.